
IBONIAMASIBONIAMANORO
allyHero
Iboniamasiboniamanoro, most often shortened to Ibonia, is the hero of the great Malagasy epic that bears his name. His name translates roughly as he who has a clear and captivating gaze. The narrative, orally transmitted for centuries before its first transcription in the 1870s, tells of his exceptional conception by Rasoabemanana, a long-barren woman guided by the diviner Ranakombe. Betrothed from his mother's womb to Iampelasoamananoro, he sets out to win her back when she is abducted by Ravato, the Stone Man. On the way he prevails in a verbal joust against Great Echo, passes a series of trials, disguises himself in an old man's skin to approach his rival, then triumphs by cunning and strength and brings back his betrothed. A founding work of the oral literature of Madagascar, the Ibonia is sometimes nicknamed the Malagasy Ramayana and has been collected in several versions across the island.
Powers & Attributes
Role in the ROHO universe
Bearer of the laughter that frees. IBONIAMASIBONIAMANORO outwits certainties and provokes movement when everything freezes. Bound to the Malagasy pantheon.
Sacred Mask
An ancient ritual mask of sacred wood, old metal and black stone, engraved with symbols of epic, embodiment of the power of Iboniamasiboniamanoro
Era
Ancient cycle
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Iboniamasiboniamanoro mean?
It translates roughly as he who has a clear and captivating gaze. The hero is most often called simply Ibonia.
What is the main plot of the Ibonia epic?
Betrothed before his birth to Iampelasoamananoro, Ibonia sets out to win her back after her abduction by Ravato, the Stone Man. He overcomes several trials, disguises himself, then defeats his rival and brings back his betrothed.
Where does the Ibonia epic come from?
It is an epic poem of the Malagasy oral tradition, transmitted for centuries and first transcribed in the 1870s. Several versions of it exist according to the regions of Madagascar.
Related spirits
Sources and references
- Lee Haring, How to Read a Folktale: The Ibonia Epic from Madagascar, Open Book Publishers, 2013
- Encyclopædia Britannica, article Ibonia